The Confluence Spring 2003
Susan's Legacy to the American River Canyons
 Susan
Cooley-Gillioms' reverence for the natural world, coupled with her
clear acceptance of her mortality, grew to be a source of profound
creative vitality in her paintings and life. Fortunately for us,
the American River was the frequent subject of her exceptional talent.
Susan meandered through the canyons painting clouds swirling for
a moment over the Confluence; she painted streams of light passing
through tree tops as the river cascaded through the rock boulders
below; she painted through the eyes of the red tailed hawk soaring
high over deep brush stroked canyons - threads of light coming from
the river far, far below. She played with color with childlike fascination
and intuition. The river became the heart of her universe. Her paintings
of the American River and canyons became personal meditative seeds
meant to germinate in our minds. Her work brought many of us closer
to the extraordinary light and energy that radiates from the river
and canyons. She was able to convey a free flowing sense of life
and time in her river work.
We, at PARC, feel honored, blessed and grateful that she and her
family, over the years, chose to give so much of their time and
talents to the conservation of the American River. Susan's paintings
embedded the American River in the heart of our community. Now a
soul partner in river conservation, we can continue to look to her
work for inspiration and guidance. May we be so lucky to be able
to put our talents and energy towards the elevation of the natural
world and the human spirit. Our sincerest thanks to Susan, Bob and
their son Brian.
Gifts made in her behalf will be used to create an American River
Confluence Park brochure focused on the wilderness-habitat resources
of this rich unique river canyon area.
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